U.S. Sen. Darline Graham secured the Republican nomination to replace her late brother, Lindsey Graham, on South Carolina’s general election ballot. She defeated U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman in a special Republican primary runoff held on Tuesday, August 25th. This victory came just two weeks after they were the top two finishers in a ten-candidate primary race.
Graham, initially a political newcomer, rose to prominence after being appointed by Governor Henry McMaster to serve the remainder of her brother's term following his sudden death. Her campaign received a significant boost from former President Donald Trump, who endorsed her, encouraged her to run for a full term, and campaigned for her in the state last week. Trump's support was a crucial factor, especially given that MAGA Inc., a super PAC aligned with Trump, injected nearly $830,000 into the race on the final day, primarily for text messages and phone calls urging voters to support Graham.
This runoff was seen as a test of Trump's endorsement power, particularly after some of his previously backed candidates had lost in other Republican primaries. A Trafalgar Group poll released on the Monday prior to the runoff showed a tight race, with both candidates tied at 48% among likely voters. However, prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket had favored Graham to win, with her chances at 62% and 70% respectively, although her odds had narrowed from 89% a week earlier. Graham will now face Democratic nominee Annie Andrews in the November general election.
